As part of its International Volunteer Trips Programme to create a movement of volunteers and responsible global citizens within Qatar that actively carry out initiatives to make a positive impact in the lives of communities across Asia, Education Above All (EAA) Foundation’s programme, Reach Out to Asia (ROTA), in collaboration with Qatar University, is organizing a 10-day trip to Nepal for the University’s 20 female volunteering students, to Bardiya and Banke rural districts in Western Nepal, with the aim to develop leadership skills among youth and prepare them for potential economic and social challenges.

The trip that kicked off on January 19th is organized in collaboration with Rural Education And Development Global (READ) Nepal, a non-profit organization operating in rural South Asia that seeks to build literacy and empower rural communities through Community Libraries and Resource Centers (CLRCs). This ROTA project, in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, intends to expand education and livelihood resources for communities in general and for youth in particular in 4 districts of Nepal. With a special focus on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills, the project aims to establish and upgrade 11 community centers which will create educational, social and economic opportunities for communities through community engagement.

Commenting on this occasion, Mr. Mohammed Al Saleh, National Programme Director at EAA's ROTA, said: “During the trip, the selected students who have passion in leadership and youth development, and have the required skills in IT, business and leadership, will be exposed to the reality faced by in-country EAA beneficiaries in order to raise their awareness of how education addresses developmental needs. The students will also have the chance to participate in an organized and well facilitated peer to peer workshop on leadership, computer skills, decision making and entrepreneurship, to develop their psychosocial life skills enabling them to cope with life and its challenges, and help them gain cross-cultural understanding in an open and trusting environment, as well as improving their interpersonal communication, self-awareness and empathy.”

The volunteering students will be inspired throughout this journey to engage in on-going Qatar-based volunteering activities, and implement the knowledge and learning experiences they received as part of ROTA’s Model of International Volunteer Trips. Ms. Noora Al Thani, ROTA’s volunteer, commented on the awaited experience: “I am really excited about this volunteering journey. I believe it will boost my self-confidence, create impact in people's lives, and open my eyes to some of the educational obstacles youth across Asia are faced with. I thank EAA organizers for giving me this incredible opportunity and i look forward to taking part in future trips".

EAA Foundation’s ROTA Volunteer Programme aims to promote a culture of volunteerism in Qatar, create a link between EAA’s national and international initiatives, and build the capacity of volunteers and beneficiaries by engaging in meaningful service, cross cultural exchange and skills transfer.